Edwards Fraud Convictions Tossed

A federal judge today tossed out more fraud
convictions against former Louisiana Gov. Edwin Edwards, but let
stand more serious extortion and racketeering convictions.

“Strong independent evidence supports without a doubt the other
convictions,” said U.S. District Judge Frank Polozola, who based
his dismissal of fraud counts on a recent U.S. Supreme Court
ruling.

It was not clear how the voided convictions would affect
sentencing for Edwards and his son, Stephen, who were convicted
with three others in May in a conspiracy to rig riverboat casino
licenses.

Edwards said he was disappointed but not surprised the judge let
the other convictions stand.

“It’s a partial victory, but it’s not going to do us much
good,” Edwards said. “It’s something to be thankful for. Every
now and then a blind hog finds an acorn.”

Awaiting Sentencing

The ruling came after two days of hearings, during which
Polozola questioned the jury foreman and reviewed convictions of
co-defendant Bobby Johnson, who missed part of the trial because of
heart surgery.

On Wednesday, Polozola threw out three fraud convictions — two
against Edwards and his son and a third against Johnson. Today’s
ruling tossed out the remaining mail and wire fraud convictions
against the Edwardses — three for fraud and one for conspiracy to
commit mail and wire fraud.

“We don’t think this will affect sentencing in any way,” U.S.
Attorney Eddie Jordan said. “Sentencing is driven by the other
counts.”

Jordan said he was unsure if prosecutors would retry the voided
counts or if they would appeal the judge’s ruling.

Virtual Life Sentence?
Edwards, 73, was convicted of 17 counts of racketeering and
fraud and acquitted of nine counts. He had faced a maximum sentence
of 250 years in prison and fines totaling $4.5 million, although
federal probation authorities reportedly recommended imprisonment
for 11 to 14 years for Louisiana’s only four-term governor.

Stephen Edwards was convicted of 18 counts and acquitted of
five. His maximum punishment could be 255 years imprisonment and
$4.5 million in fines.

Polozola referred to a November ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court
in a separate Louisiana gambling corruption case, involving a New
Orleans lawyer, that federal mail fraud laws do not apply to state
licenses that have not yet been awarded.